Political commentary from the LA Times

John Edwards' prosecutor, George E.B. Holding, announces his retirement

June 10, 2011 | 6:06
pm

John Edwards, a former senator and two-time presidential candidate, said Thursday that he does not want to be deposed later this month in the case regarding a purported sex tape with his mistress, Rielle Hunter.

The former senator is requesting that the deposition scheduled for June 20 be delayed until after criminal proceedings against him are completed.

Edwards, a former trial attorney, said in court papers that he is asking for the delay to ensure a fair trial in his criminal case and so he does not possibly incriminate himself.

On Friday, U.S. Atty. George E.B. Holding, who is overseeing Edwards' prosecution, announced he resigning from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. The announcement was an expected move now that Edwards has been indicted on six felony counts surrounding a cover-up of the Democrat's affair with Hunter while he was running for president in 2007 and 2008.

"I came to the United States Attorney’s Office in March of 2002 with the mission of making this office into one of the best law firms in North Carolina," Holding, a George W. Bush appointee, said in a written statement. "We have succeeded."

Holding, a Republican, continued: "The people of eastern North Carolina should be confident that they have an excellent team of prosecutors and civil attorneys working tirelessly to enforce the laws and pursue justice. I am proud that during the past nine plus years, we have successfully addressed our national and district priorities, such as aggressive prosecution of violent criminals, child predators, drug traffickers, white collar criminals, would-be terrorists, and corrupt public officials."

Photo: U.S. Atty. George E.B. Holding, shown in Raleigh, N.C., has headed the prosecution of former Sen. John Edwards. Holding announced that he is leaving his post. Credit: Jim R. Bounds / Associated Press